Behind the scenes of CP3’s shoe launch

Jan. 6, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

1 of 31

A penthouse loft in Los Angeles' fashion district became a shrine to Clippers guard Chris Paul Thursday, celebrating the launch of his new shoe, CP3 V.Click on the photo for a slide show from Wednesday's invitation-only event. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

On the way into the Cooper Building, visitors were greeted with the most iconic logo in footwear. And in a shift to Michael Jordan's ideaology, no one was locked out. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

The first look at Jordan Brand's CP3 V seemed pretty standard, but the more I saw the shoe and the more I learned about it, the cooler it got. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

The motto for the CP3 V -- "Shake Your Shadow" -- seemed fitting because Paul can't seem to shake media like myself. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

This color combination will be a limited release, sure to cause pepper-spraying and near riots at a mall near you. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

These will also be a limited release, paired with the shoes in the previous photo. Paul said the shoes are an ode to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, representing Paul's personality on and off the court. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

Chris Paul said he might wear these all red shoes next week when the Clippers host the Miami Heat. The final decision will be televised by ESPN and hosted by Jim Gray. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

These shoes are all gray, not brown. Blame the camera; not the photographer. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

The white-and-blue CP3 V have been a shoe Paul's worn during the Clippers' home games. Paul wears a new pair of shoes each game. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

Paul said he and the Jordan Brand are already working on the seventh edition of his shoe, which will come out after his two-year deal with the Clippers ends. No word on the color scheme yet. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

When Paul wears these shoes, he shoots like a girl. Thing is, that girl is Annie Oakley. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

Jordan Brand set up different rooms inside the loft, representing different phases in Paul's basketball life. He and his older brother played on the same youth teams, with Paul (on the right) eventually winning a battle with sweaty shins. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

Chris Paul literally gave the shirt off his back to get his own signature shoe. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

This banner, made by a fellow student at West Forsyth High School, commemorates the night Paul scored 61 points -- one for each year of his grandfather's life -- less than one week after his murder. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE; THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

Highlights of Paul's high school career played on a flat screen TV inside one of the themed rooms. Highlights of my high school career include the one time I talked a girl into making out with me. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE; THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

Paul was CP3 well before he got to the NBA. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE; THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

Paul's older brother, C.J., also played college basketball. CJP12 was nowhere as catchy of a nickname. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE; THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

This room was a shrine to Paul's time at Wake Forrest -- not to the awkward college students photographed behind the jersey. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE; THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

Once Paul arrived at the event, the cameras were glued on him like he was a Kardashian. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE; THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

Jokes aside, maybe the coolest part of the event was Paul's genuine amazement that all of this was for him. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE; THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

The room dedicated to Paul's childhood was his favorite, as he marveled at the photos of the woods around the house he grew up in. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE; THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

Paul and the shoe's designer, Tim Luedecke, talked about how the shoe was designed for sprinting and cutting -- not to be confused with cutting and running, which would certainly cost Paul All-Star votes in red states. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

The loft space used for the event was undoubtedly the hippest place I've ever been. I wish my jeans had been skinnier. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

Paul talked about how the shoe's have a bunch of details that have real meaning to him, including 61 triangles in memory of his grandfather. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

Some of the other things hidden on each shoe are Paul's hometown area code, the date of his wedding and son's birth and his love for bowling. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

Four shoes, looking for their pairs. Sounds like a Pixar movie, no? PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

Somewhere on the bottom of each shoe is the size -- a nod to Paul's love for bowling. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

Paul said he wanted to wear these colors during a game, but he didn't think the NBA would approve them because of "basketball reasons." OK, I said that, but same difference. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

If this shoe could think, would it write a late-night Showtime adult drama? Maybe a Chris De Burgh song? PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

Paul said it's like Christmas morning when he gets to open to first shipment of his shoes. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 31

Paul's new sneaker will be released Jan. 11 and retail at $120. PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

A penthouse loft in Los Angeles' fashion district became a shrine to Clippers guard Chris Paul Thursday, celebrating the launch of his new shoe, CP3 V.Click on the photo for a slide show from Wednesday's invitation-only event.PHOTO AND TEXT BY DAN WOIKE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

In addition to looking pretty cool, the science behind the CP3 V by Jordan Brand is meant to capitalize on Paul's speed and quickness. After extensive testing at Nike's Oregon campus and video review, Jordan designers came up with a shoe that has the Clipper guard smiling.

The shoes, which will be released Jan. 11 and sell for $120, were unveiled to an invitation-only crowd in a loft in Los Angeles' Fashion District Thursday.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.